William B. Bradshaw: Erroneous Information

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Author, 'The Big Ten of Grammar: Identifying and Fixing the Ten Most Frequent Grammatical Errors'; 'Sinister Among Us' (a novel about demons); and 'Fundraising: the System that Works." See www.williambbradshaw.com

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Last week I wrote about sixteen young French people, in their twenties, who were in the United States learning about how non-government agencies in our country provide various social services and how they raise the money to fund what they do. This week I want to relate something that happened at the end of that visit.

I was the coordinator for the things they did during their week in St. Louis. On the last night they were here, one of the young French men who was a practicing Muslim asked to talk with me in private. When we were alone, he said, "If I ask you a question, do you promise that you will not get mad at me?" We had been together for a week, and without hesitation I replied, "I think you know me well enough to know that you can ask me any question, and I will not get mad."

He then asked me another question. "If I ask you a question, do you promise that you will tell me the truth?" Beginning to wonder where this conversation was going, I replied with conviction, but in a kind manner: "You may ask me any question, and I will not get mad, and I promise that I will not lie to you. Now, what is it that you want to ask me?"

He then said, "Before asking you the question, I just want you to know that I have never spoken with a Protestant about this."

At first I thought he meant that he had never spoken with a Christian about whatever it was he was getting ready to talk with me about, but when I queried him about this, he assured me he had spoken with Roman Catholics about it but never with a Protestant. This really tweaked my interest, and I was eager to hear his question.

He then asked me the question: "Is it true that the Protestant Church in the United States has entered into a secret alliance with the Israeli government to work together in eliminating all Arab people?"

The question was a real shocker for me! I knew I had to reply quickly or he would think I was making up an answer rather than telling him the truth. I had to decide on the spur of the moment whether to go directly to the crux of the question or deal with a side issue first. In his question, he referred to "the Protestant Church." I did not know if he understood that there is not "one" Protestant Church, but many Protestant denominations. I quickly decided it was unimportant to address the matter of denominations at the outset and, instead, to reply in such a way that made it clear all Protestants do not have the same beliefs.

So this is what I said: "First of all, I do not know of any issue that all Protestants would agree on. We have some very conservative Protestants, some very liberal Protestants, and many Protestants whose beliefs range in between the two extremes. Some Protestants are pro-Israel, some Protestants are pro-Arab, and some Protestants vacillate between the two depending upon the news of the day. But I feel quite certain that none of the Protestant churches would ever enter into a "secret alliance" with any government, foreign or domestic--not with the Israeli government, not with the United States Government, not with any other government. Protestant churches just would not do that." I said those last two sentences with considerable force and conviction.

He looked at me for what seemed like several minutes without saying anything--longer than it was comfortable for me, as I was wondering what he was thinking. Finally, with conviction, he said, "I believe you." And, after another shorter pause, he added, "When I get home I will tell my friends what you told me." And pausing again, he concluded by saying, "But I do not think they will believe me."

I want to make it clear that I am in no way finding any fault with this young man. In fact, I have great respect for his strength of character displayed by asking that question. I am writing about this conversation because it reveals how much misunderstanding there is in the Arab world about what Americans believe and practice, and I have every reason to believe that we Americans have much erroneous information about the Arab world and what Muslims believe and practice. These are such complex issues, and an abundance of misunderstanding and prejudice can be found in all of us.

Once again I am reminded how difficult solving the world's problems really is. As a biblical scholar I have studied the centuries of unrest and war that have kept that part of the world in turmoil. We should not be surprised that our hopes for accord between the present-day Israel and its Arab neighbors are dashed yet again and again by unrest, distrust, and violence.

I do not know what the answer is for bringing peace to the Near East, and I do not think anyone else, regardless of his or her knowledge and experience, has the answer. But this I am sure of: it will take patience and determination over a long period of time. I am so sorry to say that there is no "quick fix."

I am a firm believer in the one God revealed to us by the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible, and my prayer is that that God will guide the leaders of the world and that the leaders of the various peoples will listen to what that God is saying. Even though we will differ in the ways we live and in what we believe to be true about many things, it will be my constant hope and prayer that someday the peoples of the world will come to trust one another enough to live in peace and mutual respect for each other and for the sanctity of human life.

I ask that you join me in that hope and prayer!

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William B. Bradshaw: America's Greatness

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Author, 'The Big Ten of Grammar: Identifying and Fixing the Ten Most Frequent Grammatical Errors'; 'Sinister Among Us' (a novel about demons); and 'Fundraising: the System that Works." See www.williambbradshaw.com

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The Fourth of July is a great day in the history of the United States of America. On this coming Thursday, July 4, we will celebrate the 237th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia in 1776 officially declared the independence of our country on July 2, when it approved a resolution by Virginia's Richard Lee declaring that from that time on the United States would not be subject to England or to any other country. Two days later that the same congress approved the written statement, the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming to the nations of the world the reason for, and theories behind, our determination on being independent.

In that same year, 1776, John Adams declared that each year thereafter we as a country should celebrate our independence by using fireworks. We also celebrate the birthday of our country by doing such things as flying the American flag, listening to political speeches highlighted with patriotic phrases, and gathering in backyards for family cookouts and in parks for picnics.

I'm a patriotic United States citizen, and I like flying the flag, gathering for a family cookout or picnic, followed by attending a fireworks show. And for as long as I can remember my family has celebrated the Fourth of July in those ways. But this year I am going to add a new feature to my Fourth of July celebration. When I gather with my family to celebrate, I'm going to tell them about an experience I've had over the past week that makes me even prouder of being a United States citizen. Here's what happened.

The French and Untied States Governments brought 16 young French adults, all in their 20s, from France to spend two weeks in the United States to learn about how NGOs (non-governmental organizations) in the United States provide various social services. They spent their first week in the Washington, D.C., area and the second week in St. Louis, and I was the St. Louis, Missouri, coordinator for the program.

Among other things, it was my responsibility to make arrangements for the two French women and 14 men to visit non-governmental organizations in the Greater St. Louis Area that provide various kinds of social services and to learn how they are organized and how they raise the money needed to fulfill their respective missions. It was a rewarding experience that makes me even more patriotic than ever.

I learned about the many heartwarming services that these various not-for-profit organizations provide for people in need. I learned about the services provided for people who, for whatever reason, have been unable to take care of and provide adequately for themselves. For example, I learned about the protective services they provide for women who have fled from abusive relationships and are trying to find a safe haven for themselves and any children they have, and the assistance they provide these same women in seeking permanent housing and adequate employment.

I learned about the services provided the expectant mother -- the wed and unwed -- who is without support from family or friends and who is without food and shelter and proper pre-natal care and has no idea about where she will live after her baby is born and how she will be able to care and provide for herself and her new child.

I observed the volunteers at work in following the system that had been developed over a long trial-and-error time frame in providing clothes for people who stood in a block-long line in the hot sun working their way up to the door that led to the room where they were given clothes that had been donated to the agency and whose volunteers had mended and cleaned and sorted by sizes.

I learned about the help being given to returning veterans who are finding it difficult to adjust to civilian life, who got hooked on alcohol or drugs while in the service, or who are unable to give up the fighting ways they learned in the military and are abusive to family members, or who are having trouble finding and keeping suitable employment.

I learned about the terrible difficult task of working with the homeless who suffer from mental disease, and drug addiction. I learned about the AA Meetings they have in their agencies and the twenty-four hour support systems they have for the addicted person who has kicked the habit but is in constant danger of backsliding.

I learned about the great number of services provided for mentally handicapped children and their parents. I learned about the medical facilities and schools and colleges provided for our children and young adults. I learned about the adoption services provided for children without a home.

I learned about the services provided for our aged people, including the special services for those suffering with Alzheimer's.

I learned about the truck loads of goods collected and delivered to flood and hurricane and fire victims nearby and far away.

I learned about the work some of these agencies are doing in rebuilding deteriorated urban neighborhoods.

I learned about the services provided immigrants and refugees and their families, some of whom arrive with very little of anything other than themselves.

And I have been reminded of the many federal and state laws that make it possible for not-for-profit organizations to exist and receive tax-deducted contributions. And I learned about their many board members, volunteers, and contributors who make this all possible. Do I need to go any further?

We often hear about the bad things going on in our cities, and there are many bad things happening. But what I witnessed this past week, day after day and visit after visit, was kindness, love, and generosity -- Americans giving to Americans. And, in my opinion, it would be good for all citizens to take the time really to learn about the menu of loving and caring services that are made possible by the generosity of Americans.

Yes, I am a proud and patriotic United States citizen, and this Fourth of July I will fly the American flag just a little higher than in past years.

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